Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba DOCG

Diano d'Alba sits on one of the highest hilltops in the Langhe zone within Piedmont's province of Cuneo, with vineyards reaching a maximum elevation of 550 meters. The appellation covers 330 hectares entirely within the municipality of Diano d'Alba. Soils are a mosaic of calcareous marl, calcareous clay, limestone, sandy soils, and tufa-rich deposits, all contributing to Dolcetto's characteristic structure and aromatic expression.

• Elevation up to 550 meters, among the highest in the Langhe
• Soils include calcareous marl, limestone, clay, and tufa
• Temperate continental climate with warm days and cool nights
• Proximity to both the Alps and the Ligurian Sea moderates temperatures

Dolcetto di Diano d'Alba received DOC recognition in 1974 and was elevated to DOCG in 2010, reflecting the quality and distinctiveness of wines from this elevated hilltop terroir. The appellation holds a unique place in Italian wine history as the first in the country to officially codify single-vineyard sites. Between 75 and 76 sorì are approved as recognized crus, each representing a specific sun-exposed slope that has been cultivated and passed down through generations of local families.

• DOC established 1974; upgraded to DOCG in 2010
• First Italian appellation to officially recognize single-vineyard cru sites
• 75-76 approved sorì function as named crus within the DOCG
• Sorì is a Piedmontese term meaning 'sun-exposed slope' or 'sunny place'

Diano d'Alba produces dry red wine from 100% Dolcetto, vinified in stainless steel to preserve freshness and primary fruit character. The wines display a ruby-purple color with violet highlights and deliver aromas of cherry, blackberry, and violets. On the palate they are dry, medium-bodied, and harmonious, finishing with Dolcetto's signature bitter almond note. A Superiore designation requires a higher minimum alcohol of 12.5%. All wines must age a minimum of 10 months before release on January 1st of the year following harvest, and are best consumed within three to four years.

• Vinified in stainless steel to retain freshness and fruit
• Characteristic bitter almond finish typical of Dolcetto
• Standard minimum 12.0% alcohol; Superiore requires 12.5%
• Best consumed within 3-4 years of vintage

The sorì system sets Diano d'Alba apart from every other Italian appellation. Sorì is the Piedmontese dialect word for a sun-exposed slope or sunny place, and the DOCG formally recognizes between 75 and 76 individual sorì as named single-vineyard sites. These function as crus, allowing producers to label their wines with a specific vineyard name and providing consumers with a reliable geographic signal of quality and character. This recognition, the first of its kind in Italy, established a model for single-vineyard classification that other appellations have since followed.

• 75-76 named sorì approved within the DOCG boundaries
• Each sorì functions as an officially recognized single-vineyard cru
• First Italian appellation to formalize this vineyard classification system
• Producers may label wines with individual sorì names